The Ant and the Dove
AN ANT went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst, and
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The Ant and the Dove
AN ANT went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst, and
being carried away by the rush of the stream, was on the point of
drowning. A Dove sitting on a tree overhanging the water plucked
a leaf and let it fall into the stream close to her. The Ant
climbed onto it and floated in safety to the bank. Shortly
afterwards a birdcatcher came and stood under the tree, and laid
his lime-twigs for the Dove, which sat in the branches. The Ant,
perceiving his design, stung him in the foot. In pain the
birdcatcher threw down the twigs, and the noise made the Dove
take wing.
One good turn deserves another.

The Boy and the Filberts
A boy put his hand into a pitcher full of filberts. He grasped as many read more

The Boy and the Filberts
A boy put his hand into a pitcher full of filberts. He grasped as many as he could possibly hold, but when he tried to pull out his hand, he was prevented from doing so by the neck of the pitcher. Unwilling to lose his filberts, and yet unable to withdraw his hand, he burst into tears and bitterly lamented his disappointment. A bystander said to him, Be satisfied with half the quantity, and you will readily draw out your hand.
Do not attempt too much at once.

The Ass and the Old Shepherd
A SHEPHERD, watching his Ass feeding in a meadow, was alarmed all
of read more

The Ass and the Old Shepherd
A SHEPHERD, watching his Ass feeding in a meadow, was alarmed all
of a sudden by the cries of the enemy. He appealed to the Ass to
fly with him, lest they should both be captured, but the animal
lazily replied, Why should I, pray? Do you think it likely the
conqueror will place on me two sets of panniers?' No, rejoined
the Shepherd. Then, said the Ass, as long as I carry the
panniers, what matters it to me whom I serve?'
In a change of government the poor change nothing beyond the name of their master.

The Thirsty Pigeon
A pigeon, oppressed by excessive thirst, saw a goblet of water painted on a signboard. Not supposing read more

The Thirsty Pigeon
A pigeon, oppressed by excessive thirst, saw a goblet of water painted on a signboard. Not supposing it to be only a picture, she flew towards it with a loud whir and unwittingly dashed against the signboard, jarring herself terribly. Having broken her wings by the blow, she fell to the ground, and was caught by one of the bystanders.
Zeal should not outrun discretion.

The Lion, the Mouse, and the Fox
A lion, fatigued by the heat of a summer's day, fell fast asleep read more

The Lion, the Mouse, and the Fox
A lion, fatigued by the heat of a summer's day, fell fast asleep in his den. A Mouse ran over his mane and ears and woke him from his slumbers. He rose up and shook himself in great wrath, and searched every corner of his den to find the Mouse. A Fox seeing him said: A fine Lion you are, to be frightened of a Mouse. 'Tis not the Mouse I fear, said the Lion; I resent his familiarity and ill-breeding.
Little liberties are great offenses.

The Cock and the Jewel
A COCK, scratching for food for himself and his hens, found a precious stone read more

The Cock and the Jewel
A COCK, scratching for food for himself and his hens, found a precious stone and exclaimed: If your owner had found thee, and not I, he would have taken thee up, and have set thee in thy first estate; but I have found thee for no purpose. I would rather have one barleycorn than all the jewels in the world.

The Boys and the Frogs
Some boys, playing near a pond, saw a number of Frogs in the water and read more

The Boys and the Frogs
Some boys, playing near a pond, saw a number of Frogs in the water and began to pelt them with stones. They killed several of them, when one of the Frogs, lifting his head out of the water, cried out: Pray stop, my boys: what is sport to you, is death to us.

The Fir-Tree and the Bramble
A fir-tree said boastingly to the Bramble, You are useful for nothing at all; while read more

The Fir-Tree and the Bramble
A fir-tree said boastingly to the Bramble, You are useful for nothing at all; while I am everywhere used for roofs and houses. The Bramble answered: 'You poor creature, if you would only call to mind the axes and saws which are about to hew you down, you would have reason to wish that you had grown up a Bramble, not a Fir-Tree.
Better poverty without care, than riches with.

The Oxen and the Axle-Trees
A heavy wagon was being dragged along a country lane by a team of Oxen. read more

The Oxen and the Axle-Trees
A heavy wagon was being dragged along a country lane by a team of Oxen. The Axle-trees groaned and creaked terribly; whereupon the Oxen, turning round, thus addressed the wheels: Hullo there! why do you make so much noise? We bear all the labor, and we, not you, ought to cry out.
Those who suffer most cry out the least.